[Emme]

I read "20 Ways to Eat Healthier" on Self.com today, and I really liked these two tips:

5. You can always have more.
Tomorrow. A food shortage is not imminent. Besides, anything you eat after you're full doesn't even taste as good. "There is a toning down of taste buds after the first few bites," says Linda Bacon, Ph.D., professor of nutrition at City College of San Francisco. And no one loves feeling stuffed.

I really liked that one because I am trying to break habits of being an emotional eater.

7. You can't replace real ice cream.
When you're craving Chunky Monkey, no amount of fat-free ice treat will make up for it. "Diet foods leave you feeling hungry and cheated," says Paul McKenna, Ph.D., author of I Can Make You Thin (Sterling). Splurge on one scoop of the real deal and savor it. "You'll be satisfied physically and psychologically," McKenna says.

I do believe it is ok to treat yourself once in a while (hey, we work hard, right?), and if it will fit in my calorie intake for the day, then I think it is a good idea, especially if you are eating an all natural treat!

[tschaff04]

Thank you for sharing! I really like these tips. Although I must admit, I love ff ice cream with some warm berries on top. mmmm

[carter]

Glad you found some tips that resonated for you.

Different people respond well to different strategies. That first one is related to a philosophy I have adopted for myself - I think of it as "this is not the last donut you will ever see" though it isn't really about donuts. It's just about training myself not to always eat food because it's offered, even tasty treats.

For example, we have a nice breakfast at work every wednesday with bagels, pastries, waffles ... but the very fact that it is every wednesday makes it quite easy to skip it. "Eh, I don't need that bagel today, I can get one next week." The same thing goes for many other treats - I can have a drink tomorrow, I can try the dessert next time. Very rarely am I presented with a truly unique opportunity to eat a treat, one that I can't pass up with the thought "some other time". It's good; it saves me from falling into the self-pity trap of "woe is me, I can never eat a slice of birthday cake again!" *sob* But then, I remember some folks on this board saying "next time" doesn't work for them - they have to tell themselves "never".

That second tip you mentioned works a little differently for me. I don't really want a small half cup scoop of ice-cream - I want a huge portion of ice cream. But it's easier not to eat any ice cream at all than to try to eat a small portion of it and then stop. I am so put off by fake imitation goodies that I'd rather eat no goodies at all than the pale substitutes. But, different people feel really differently about this one, I think. Some people swear by their substitutes, and that's great for them - but I'll pass.

[martha328]

Thanks for sharing these tips. I always tell myself about the first one. So true. The second is a battle for me -- but I would like to teach myself that the one scoop will suffice.

[JennieLovesKisses]

Thank you for sharing